Marty Winter 2011.qxd - Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

Photo by: Paul Martinka
Winter 2011
CROSS CULTURAL BREAD
Spring 2003
4 Peersada Shah and Zafaryab Ali, new owners
of Coney Island Bialys and Bagels.
WWW.BROOKLYN-USA.ORG
Bialys are a true Brooklyn treat—
dense little rolls of oniony goodness
made even better with a schmeer of
cream cheese! Bialys go back many
years in Brooklyn and thanks to two
Muslims, one iconic bialy purveyor
lives on.
Brooklyn’s oldest bialy store, a landmark
in Gravesend called Coney Island Bialys
and Bagels, was set to close. But Pakistanis
Zafaryab Ali and Peerzada Shah are coming
to the rescue. (Much like Egyptian
owner Mohamed Salem did for Adelman’s
Kosher Deli on Kings Highway).
When owner Steven Ross decided to
close the popular bialy store, Ali and his
roommate, Shah, opted to take over. Ali worked as a baker at the eatery for more than
ten years and not only learned the secret to their signature bialys but developed a real love
for the business.
“We will preserve the tradition of great bialys and bagels started more than 90 years
ago,” said Shah, who was a bakery equipment repairman back in Pakistan and who has
also spent time at culinary school. Between his background and Ali’s experience at the
shop, the partners are well on their way to keeping the well-loved business alive and even
have plans for improvements. “We are renovating the place and adding a counter,” said
Shah. “The one thing we’re not changing is the recipe. We still don’t add preservatives
and we hope to be certified kosher within the next few months.”
Coney Island Bialys and Bagels, 2359 Coney Island Ave. (bet. Aves. T/U); (718) 339-
9281; Current hours are 6am-6pm seven days a week.
GETTING YOUR FILL—AND THEN
WHERE NEW YORK CITY BEGINS
SOME—AT THE GOURMET GRILL
We all know it’s better to eat
healthy meals like salads and veggies.
And who hasn’t been warned
to watch their salt? But what
about taste, you say? Mill Basin’s
Gourmet Grill let’s you have it
both ways: healthy and delicious!
Known for its salad bar, vegetarians
will salivate at Gourmet
Grill’s huge selection of healthy
salads and toppings. Meaty choic- 4 John and Jack DiSanto of Gourmet Grill.
es like burgers, steak and chicken
make sure that your average carnivore won’t leave hungry. The drink selections range from
soda to smoothies to protein shakes. Beer and wine are also available. But for those of you
who want a little “olé” in your evening, don’t leave without trying their signature sangria.
With a brand new menu, welcoming ambiance and limited use of salt, the Gourmet
Grill is the neighborhood joint with friendly service, great food and a commitment to
health. “We were the first restaurant in the City to list calorie counts on our menus, way
before it was cool to do so,” said manager John DiSanto.
The DiSanto family takes pride in its Bergen Beach roots and continues to serve the
community by buying from Brooklyn-based vendors and making sure that their prices
remain reasonable.
With so much healthy food at competitive prices to choose from, dining at Gourmet
Grill is almost “slim”-ful.
Gourmet Grill, 6334 Avenue N (at E. 64th St); (718) 241-2345; Hours: Mon-Wed:
11am-9pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-10pm.
BROOKLYN WELCOMES TWO
NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS!
U.S. Congressman Robert Turner represents
the 9th District, which includes
Flatlands, Gerritsen Beach, Marine Park,
Midwood, Mill Basin and Sheepshead Bay.
Most of the district is in Queens.
Assemblymember Rafael Espinal, Jr.
represents the 54th Assembly District,
which covers Bushwick, Brownsville,
Cypress Hills, East New York and parts of
Bedford-Stuyvesant.
CONGRATULATIONS
AND BEST WISHES TO THEM BOTH!